Notre Dame High School Admissions Consulting
Expert guidance for families applying to this Sherman Oaks, CA Catholic college-preparatory school.
Cardinal Education is an independent educational consulting company. We are not affiliated, associated, authorized, endorsed by, or in any way officially connected with any private or public school, including Notre Dame High School.
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About the School
About Notre Dame High School
Notre Dame High School (NDHS) is a private, coeducational, Catholic college-preparatory day school in Sherman Oaks, CA, in the tradition of the Congregation of Holy Cross. Serving grades 9–12, NDHS enrolls 1,270 students at a 14:1 student-teacher ratio and is accredited by the Western Catholic Educational Association (WCEA). Students are not required to be Catholic to attend. The school offers 31 AP and 25 Honors courses, and 90% of faculty hold advanced degrees. NDHS reports that 96% of graduates matriculate to 2- and 4-year colleges, and the Class of 2025 posted mean scores of 1214 on the SAT and 27.9 on the ACT. Admission requires the HSPT entrance exam, a required interview, and teacher recommendations.
Location & Type
Location
13645 Riverside Drive, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
Type
Private, Catholic (Congregation of Holy Cross), coeducational day school
Grades served
9th through 12th grade
Enrollment
1,270 students
Student-teacher ratio
14:1
Accreditation
WCEA
Admissions
Application opens
September 8
HSPT entrance exam
Late January
Admissions decisions released
March 5
Academics & Outcomes
AP & Honors courses
31 AP and 25 Honors courses
Faculty with advanced degrees
90%
Class of 2025 mean scores
SAT 1214, ACT 27.9
College matriculation
96% of graduates matriculate to 2- and 4-year colleges
College counselors
11 on staff
Accreditation & Recognition Snapshot
Accreditation
WCEA
Student-teacher ratio
14:1
Advanced coursework
31 AP, 25 Honors courses
College matriculation
96% of graduates
Athletics
17 sports across 26 teams
Admissions Timeline & Events
Notre Dame High School runs a structured, date-driven admissions calendar. Families should confirm current-cycle tour and information session dates directly with the school, since these are set annually, but the core milestones below hold each year.
Application opens
September 8
Financial aid (Clarity) application opens
September
Recommendation requests become available
October 1
HSPT entrance exam
Late January, 8:00 AM–12:30 PM
Financial aid decisions and tuition contracts sent
February
Admissions decisions released
March 5
What Makes Notre Dame’s Admissions Process Unique?
Notre Dame requires every applicant to take the HSPT, and strongly recommends sitting for it on the NDHS campus itself, since on-campus test-takers are considered first. The school also offers its own HSPT Merit Scholarship: students who score 95 or above on the HSPT at NDHS are automatically awarded the scholarship, but that eligibility is lost if the test is taken elsewhere. That single detail, where to sit for the test, carries real weight in a way it doesn’t at most schools.
Top Tips for Applying
- Take the HSPT on the NDHS campus if at all possible, both for admissions priority and merit scholarship eligibility.
- Don’t request transcripts until after the first semester of 8th grade is complete.
- Schedule the required interview as soon as the application is submitted, paid, and processed.
The Notre Dame Application Requirements
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01Testing Policy
The HSPT is required for all applicants, with the cost included in the application fee. See our guidance on acing the HSPT for preparation strategy.
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02Interview
Every applicant interviews, with the student and at least one parent required to attend. See our interview preparation guidance for how to prepare.
Get Into Notre Dame High School with the Best Admissions Consultants
Cardinal Education’s private school admissions consultants help Los Angeles-area families prepare for every piece of the Notre Dame process, from HSPT prep to the required interview. Applying as an Asian American family? Our guide to Notre Dame High School for Asian American applicants covers what to know about fit, community, and the admissions process.
“Notre Dame felt like a school where tradition mattered a lot, and we weren’t totally sure how to show that our daughter would fit into that without just repeating what we thought they wanted to hear. Cardinal Education helped her find a way to be genuine about it instead, and that changed everything. We’re really proud of how she handled the whole process.”— Parent from Notre Dame
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the HSPT required for Notre Dame admission?
How competitive is admission to Notre Dame High School?
Does Notre Dame interview applicants?
What is the HSPT Merit Scholarship?
What is Notre Dame’s college matriculation rate?
Considering Notre Dame High School?
Speak with a Cardinal Education consultant about your family’s admissions plan.